Growing up in Canada, Lisa developed an early love for outdoor life, especially spending time on the water. Canoeing since she was a child, she fell in love with sea kayaking over a dozen years ago and has developed into a dedicated kayaker, coach, and guide. She is an American Canoe Association (ACA) Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor and holds ACA Level 4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Skills as well as British Canoe Union (BCU) Four Star Sea Kayak, BCU Three Star Canoe, and L1 Coach awards. She is comfortable in sea and surf kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. Lisa has spent many years exploring the waters and guiding trips in the Everglades and the Florida Keys and has guided, paddled, and camped around the world, including Wales, Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, Canada, the Great Lakes, Antarctica, and Central America. Now drawn to colder climates, Lisa especially enjoys the opportunity to share wildlife sightings and explore remote vistas with others. She is also proficient in fly fishing and spends time each fall in the Yellowstone area chasing trout. Prior to full-time instructing and guiding on the water, Lisa, who holds two doctoral degrees, was Dean of the Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy – hence, the origin of the company name. Plus, being outside has been shown to be great for your health! Lisa now considers northern Michigan her home, where she has taken up cross- country skiing in the winter, photography, and foraging for local foods. My greatest pleasure is to see my students achieve their goals! Get outdoors and explore the amazing world of kayaking with us! It’s your prescription to better health.

Michael Gray founded Uncommon Adventures in 1984 after receiving a degree in Environmental Interpretation at MSU. With nearly 30 years in the business, Michael is one of the most experienced instructors and guides in the country. He’s led trips all over the world including Alaska, New Zealand, Greenland, Iceland and Central America. He is an ACA Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer and a Level 4 instructor. He also holds certifications in Canoe and SUP instruction. Of particular note is Michael’s reputation as a phenomenal backcountry cook. Having taught outdoor skills and environmental workshops all of his adult life, Michael interprets wild places with warmth and respect. Of particular note is Michael’s reputation as a phenomenal backcountry cook. Our guests often say they don’t eat as well at home as they do on Uncommon Adventures trips. Michael’s cooking presentations/demonstrations are among the most popular sessions at the country’s leading kayak symposiums, and his articles appear in major kayak publications, websites, and his cookbook! I’ve enjoyed exploring the outdoors in many ways and in many place, but I still favor the solitude and clear crisp waters of the Northern Great Lakes for a pure wilderness experience. Whether with a paddle or a fly rod in hand, this life, full of rich experience has been a gift. Come out to play with us this year… we’ve got a whole new menu of great experiences for you to choose from.